2025 Expert Review of REC Solar Panels

REC Group is a Norway-based solar panel manufacturer that has manufactured over 38 million solar panels since it’s founding in 1996. REC has a presence in the United States, Europe, and Asia, with its panel manufacturing primarily in Singapore.

REC has a reputation for selling some of the highest quality solar panels on the market, which is why they landed the 7th spot on our top solar panel brands list for 2025  and an Excellent rating from our solar experts. But, they are expensive, so they aren’t a practical option for all homeowners.

We'll help you understand everything there is to know about REC, from the solar panels they offer to their performance and cost.

What home solar panels does REC offer?

REC has three residential solar panel series to choose from, each a high-quality, high-performing option.

REC’s Pure-R, Pure-RX, and Alpha Pure 2 panels all use variations of REC’s signature half-cut heterojunction (HJT) cells. Simply put, REC uses top-of-the-line technology to make its panels as efficient and powerful as possible.

REC has been manufacturing half-cut cells since 2014 – it’s what they’re best known for.

The solar cells within the panels are lasered in half to decrease losses and increase durability. The cells are then wired in a way so the top half and bottom half of the panel almost act as two separate panels to improve shade performance. 

REC panels are also known for being ultra-durable. With two horizontal support bars on the back of each panel, they can withstand up to 7,000 Pascals of pressure compared to the 5,000 Pascals rating of standard solar panels. 

REC solar panel warranties

On top of great performance, REC’s panels come with 20-year product and 25-year performance solar warranties.

Many solar panels available are only covered by a 12 or 15-year product warranty, meaning REC panels will be covered for longer than competitors’. If you get REC panels through a REC Certified Professional installer, that warranty can be extended for another five years!

The technology used in REC’s panels allows them to perform well over time. As solar panels get older, they operate a little less efficiently. REC’s panels are guaranteed to operate at least 92% of their initial power output after 25 years. For comparison, most solar panels are built to operate at 86% after 25 years.

How much do REC solar panels cost?

REC solar panels tend to be pricier, with installations costing about $3.21 per watt installed, which is higher than the national average cost of solar panels of $3.03 per watt. For an average 7.2-kilowatt system, that’s around $23,112 in total before incentives are applied. The cost will be higher if you finance REC panels through a solar loan.

That’s a significant investment, but REC’s high-quality technology is built to maximize your electricity bill savings through solar. Plus, you can use solar incentives and rebates to make solar panels cheaper. 

Take the federal solar tax credit, for example. You can earn a tax credit equal to 30% of installation costs when you install solar panels. That’s thousands of dollars saved on your income taxes!

Remember that the cost of solar installations varies depending on where you live, the design of your system, and what solar installer you choose! We recommend getting quotes from at least three solar panel installation companies so you can compare offers and get the best price (and quality) possible.

Should you buy REC solar panels?

REC solar panels are an excellent choice. If you are looking for a panel built with quality in mind that will power your home for years to come, REC panels will deliver.

Being a well-established company is another reason to choose REC since you can count on them to provide customer service should you ever need to rely on the panel warranty. 

Because you cannot buy REC solar panels for a DIY project, you need to work with a solar company to install these particular panels. Homeowners can work with a solar installer to help determine if they are the cheapest option in terms of cost per watt for a solar installation.